Listen to Danny Fornari’s New Single “Todo se Va”

June 16, 2017 by Raul Colon

Todo se Va - Single

Danny Fornaris presents his new single "Todo Se Va". Available on iTunes.

Today happens to be my friend Danny Fornaris' birthday, but as the hard-working individual, he is. He chooses to launch his new single on his special day.

Help Danny Fornaris Celebrate his Birthday

So to wish him happy birthday top by the video, hit like on it, subscribe to his youtube channel and share.

If you want to make it even more special go ahead and buy his singles on iTunes.

"Todo Se Va - Single" on Itunes

I wish Danny the best and always get excited when I get to listen to his new work.

But to be honest I am equally excited to listen to any of his work on radio, Spotify, or Itunes.

Buy "Todo Se Va"

More of

Danny Fornaris

Here are a few more of my favorites.

Buy "Todo Se Va"

Is Puerto Rico part of the United States?

June 11, 2017 by Raul Colon

If I got a dollar every time Puerto Rico wanted to become part of the United States, I would be able to pay the Debt created by Corrupt Politicians and Bankers.

Is Puerto Rico part of the United States

Yes, Puerto Rico is part of the United States.

Now that I answered your question let me answer a few more that you might have in mind.

Can Puerto Rican's residing on the Island elect the U.S. President?
- No. But the decisions of the President affect each Puerto Rican.
Do we pay taxes?
- Yes, we pay our fair share of taxes. Some we don't even receive benefits from; just one example, Medicare.
How much money does Puerto Rico receive from the U.S.?
- Well, the question should be how are the U.S. and bigger interests benefiting from Puerto Rico. I wrote this post years ago, and it's a clear that more is taken from Puerto Rico than what the U.S. invests.

raul-colon-photography-26-of-26 Is Puerto Rico part of the United States? — Demonstration against Naled Aerial Fumigation held on July 6, 2016.

Is Puerto Rico Part of the United States as a State or a Colony?

Supposedly the government of Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth. That term is confusing since four other U.S. States (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Pennsylvania) also use the term. Wikipedia also explains the following:

"The term "Commonwealth" does not describe or provide for any specific political status or legal relationship when used by a state. Those that do use it are equal to those that do not. A traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good, it is used symbolically to emphasize that these states have a "government based on the common consent of the people" - Wikipedia

When you look at the terminology and definition of Commonwealth, it is misleading. Instead, we have been a Colony since Spain came in and started the Genocide of our native Tainos and colonized those left on the island.

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In 1898 the United States of America, after bombing and forcing themselves onto the Island, got Puerto Rico as a trophy from Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War.

We fast forward to 2017, and here we are sitting on a pile of debt created by Bankers from the US, Spain, Sweden (UBS) and a bunch of corrupt politicians.

A fiscal oversight board was imposed made up of 7 individuals, many with conflicts of interest and ties to the same folks who put us in the Massive Debt Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy on this past May.

raul-colon-photography-20-of-26 Is Puerto Rico part of the United States? — Demonstration against Naled Aerial Fumigation held on July 6, 2016.

Distracting everyone with the Puerto Rican Status Referendum

So instead of auditing the debt on the Island and looking at what caused it, our current government decided they wanted to entertain the masses by creating a Puerto Rican Status Referendum.

The objective was to have Puerto Rican's confirm their loyalty to the U.S. But how can you affirm your loyalty to a Country who took you as war booty and has taken more than they have given. Well, that is a bit of the Story of our Island as a Colony.

But getting back to the Puerto Rican Status Referendum. This specific one was tailored by the Pro-Statehood Party to create an option where the Statehood option would win. They have used tactics to instill fear and show others how the relationship with the U.S. would be so much better if we became a state.

In simple terms, it's like telling someone who is in an abusive relationship, that by staying in that relationship, things will get better. But for some reason, the Pro-statehood party has used this tactic in an attempt to brainwash the most marginalized people into voting for Statehood.

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How to win a Contest when you're the only one competing?

Ask the PNP Puerto Rico's Pro-Statehood party. They have tailored and orchestrated a plebiscite to make sure the Statehood option is the only one to win. They initially excluded the current status on the ballot making it a Statehood vs. Independence question. There wasn't the third option which is staying as it current Territorial Status. The third option was included on the ballot before Sunday's vote.

What is the Probability of Puerto Rico becoming a State?

My friends ask me the question,"Is Puerto Rico part of the United States?" and they still don't understand the whole political status of the Island, don't feel lonely. Sometimes I feel that many of us on the Island don't have all the details into what the current relationship entails and how that would be different if it becomes a state.

Currently, we are a Colony and will continue to be Colony because it's beneficial to U.S. interests. Major Corporations like Wal-mart, Walgreens, Big Pharma, and many others benefit from Tax Incentives and Tax Havens that are used between the US tax code and Puerto Rico's tax code.

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Will Puerto Rico become a State in my Opinion?

Short answer, No. Because no matter what the outcome I will be reading this status in my Facebook memories to see that many of us predicted the future. We will not get close to statehood.

I can only imagine a few good Ole Boys from the South, those who I served with in the U.S. Army (yes we can serve in the U.S. Military but can't vote for the Commander in Chief), not wanting their confederate flag, I mean their U.S. flag to have another star.

With so many movements against immigration, I'm not sure how many who voted for the current U.S. president would like bringing in a bunch of Latinos, Hispanics, Mexicans (yes I have been called this many times), Infidels and any other name you can imagine, becoming part of Making America Great Again.

Puerto Rico as a State does not Make America Great Again.

Just imagine asking someone who does not even know where the Island is the question, is Puerto Rico part of the United States? They would not be able to answer that question much less want Puerto Rico to be part of what they feel is their America.

A Boycott of this Puerto Rican status referendum.

Most Puerto Ricans are boycotting this Puerto Rican Status referendum. They are tired of answering the question is Puerto Rico part of the United States. Many like me would like the answer to be no in the future. We really believe that the relationship with the U.S. has not worked thus far; it might be time to look for a real change. Maybe Make Puerto Rico Great for Once.

Why are people boycotting the Puerto Rican status referendum.

Here are some of the Main Reasons

A waste of money we don't have - It's a waste of money. It would have taken 2 to 3 Million to Audit the Puerto Rico debt but they are spending 10 million to distract the attention from those who stole from the Island. So instead of answering the question of whether Puerto Rico is part of the United States and pushing toward statehood, we would rather focus on making sure less of our schools and critical government resources are not taken away.
The Decision is made by the Colonizer - The Final Decision to make Puerto Rico a state falls on the Colonize, not the Colony. So that means Congress and the rest of the U.S. would have to agree on allowing us into the Union.
All other Referendums were ignored by the U.S. - Especially the last one which supposedly stated that most of the voter base voted towards making Puerto Rico a State. That was in 2012 and in 2017 we are back to the drawing board.
It's a Rigged Election - Puerto Rico currently does not count with a fully independent self-governing government. Those in power are the Junta de Control Fiscal imposed by Promesa. Their objective is to collect money from Wall Street without taking into consideration the well being of those that are not at fault with the debt. Those same groups have created this referendum that only supports what seems to be one reliable option. The options most people wanted on the Referendum was left out and then added before the vote on Sunday.

So before you think that Puerto Rico wants to become a state, understand that no election has ever had more than 50% of that vote. I want you to know that most Puerto Ricans will be boycotting the status referendum.

Many will be at the beach enjoying Sunday, others at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City, and many others at the Pride Parade in Cabo Rojo.

If you are like me, boycotting the Puerto Rican Status Referendum, here are a few things you can do this Sunday that will help you learn a bit more about Puerto Rico:

1. Watch W. Kamau Bell's, United Shades of America, where he will be covering a different side on CNN of our relationship with the U.S. I caught some teasers in his feed which I will share below.

Puerto Rico's people, history, and relationship to the United States are all complicated, writes @wkamaubell https://t.co/cxs2bRCLcQ

— CNN Opinion (@CNNOpinion) June 11, 2017

I met W. Kamau Bell a few years ago at SXSW. He was introduced to me via a common acquaintance and also comedian Baratunde Thurston.

Awesome bumping into Mr. book ( @barantunde ) according to 2yr @danielalcolon #sxsw

A post shared by Raúl Colón (@raulcolon) on Mar 10, 2013 at 11:09pm PDT

I just finished reading W. Kamau Bell's book "The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd , Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian". You might want to get your copy and read the book.

2. In Honor of the Puerto Rican Day Parade you can listen to a list of music curated by one of my favorite artists, Residente, on Spotify. He includes a bit of our music from way back to more recent bands from Puerto Rico like Alegria Rampante.

El "spotlight" muy merecido al talento de la #PuertoRico @ALEGRIARAMPANTE @pjsinsuela y otros! Gracias @Residente https://t.co/FOItK631Bn pic.twitter.com/yevnB5xd4p

— Raul Colon Ⓥ (@rj_c) June 9, 2017

3. If your on the Island feel free to go to your nearest beach and enjoy a Summer day. If you are near Playas para el Pueblo in Isla Verde, I know there are a few events planned which are tied to boycotting the referendum.

So In summary when someone asks "is Puerto Rico Part of the United States", I can assure you the answer will be, Yes but it will never be a State.

Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade

June 7, 2017 by Raul Colon

For years I have observed the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.

When I was around 12 years old in the early 90's was the one, and only time I had the chance to experience it.

I can't even recall where my dad took my brother and me to watch the parade.

Memories of my First Puerto Rican Day Parade

I remember how I enjoyed seeing Salsa Musicians and other celebrities from the side of the New York Streets.

As a Kid born on the Island but at a very early age moved over to Connecticut. The Puerto Rican Parades made me feel closer to the Island.

The Other Puerto Rican Day Parades

Living in Bridgeport, CT I remember there was a parade that would come through. I went to this particular event a few more times. My dad was better known as Don Tito was involved in the community. At one point I remember he ran for Town Committee of Bridgeport.

20 years later in 2010 I would build the Puerto Rican Day Parade of Fairfield County's website (although it was taken down a few years after).

Summer Vacation a Bridge to my Puerto Rican Roots

I had visited Ponce every summer. When the School year ended and sometimes even a few days before I would be sent over to my Grandma's home. My Uncle and Grandma Lydia would take care of me and pamper me to another level. They still do.

My Uncle Tito who happens to be a history buff would teach me about the Island. He took me around all the historical sites, and the experiences are endless.

I got to learn and understand what Puerto Rico was from the eyes of two beings that loved the Island and me. Looking back not many of other kids like me who lived in the states and were Puerto Rican had a chance to see the Island as I did. There are usually many missing links in out story of migration.

instagram-1-621 Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade

Moving to Puerto Rico as a Teenager

At the age of 12, I arrived on the Island getting a bit of culture shock. Even though I had visited the Island during my summer vacation. Puerto Rico was far from what I had experienced once I was a resident. The Puerto Rican community stateside and the one on the Island are still two completely different worlds linked by shared traditions and values.

Plaza-Rogativa-Raul-Colon-Photography-persona-use Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade — Plaza de La Rogativa en Viejo San Juan

Back and Forth from the Island to the Colonizers

Since I moved to Puerto Rico as a Kid, I have spent most of my life living on the Island except a couple of years. Those times when I served in the U.S. Army and then 22 months I went to work for KPMG in New York City.

My parents, brothers, and most of my dad's family live in CT. I go back and forth, and this has given me an interesting perspective. I get to learn the culture and how Puerto Ricans who left the island decades ago see the Island. I also see Boricua pride with those that are the descendants of those that migrated decades ago.

I see a sense of them wanting to understand what the Island is like. They want to be involved, but they are so busy with their struggles stateside that itis difficult for many of them to stay up to date.

Most of the information they get comes directly from corporate media. Which is manipulated by a few from the Island?

When I visit Connecticut or New York, I tend to talk less and listen more. Although I live on the Island, I learn a lot from their struggles as Immigrants in a country many now call home. It's usually very easy to identify common issues on both sides. Both caused by Puerto Rico's political situation. But the different perspectives can blame many other causes.

I take opportunities to discuss what is happening from my perspective in a more raw format than the news they receive. Over time I have gained the trust of many and I appreciate them looking at what I publish to compare what they read elsewhere.

I might convince a few that there are many other perspectives on the news they are getting. But there are so many millions more than are being misled I see it's a very uphill battle.

When I think of how I can help others understand what is happening on the Island, I quickly think of this blog. It's my only vehicle where I can reach tens of thousands once I cover an interesting subject.

But I also see how an event that brings many Puerto Rican community leaders together can get much done.

raulcolon-photos-puertorico-2-6 Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade

Vive Borikén as a Bridge to the Puerto Rican Day Parade & Diaspora

I also see fellow activists like Aimee Montoya trying to create a bridge between the Puerto Rican Diaspora and those who live on the Island.

Different to many other organizations which are more business oriented and focused on a select elite of people on the Island.

Vive Borikén has been in the frontlines creating awareness on issues that are important to our communities. I have seen Vive Borikén very active in the fight to save Playuela and making sure Toxic Ashes are not being deposited in our backyards.

raul-colon-photography-12-of-18 Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade

So how can we do more?

Well, Aimee recently is trying to bring one of the students of the UPR to New York to the Puerto Rican parade. She wants to make sure those stateside are well aware of what is happening on the Island.

Boricua Unity Quest

This is part of Aimee's effort called the Boricua Unity Quest.

When certain groups attempted to brainwash New Yorkers and discredit the purpose of the Puerto Rican Parade. I think it's very critical that much stateside get to hear the stories of those who for months are fighting for our communities here on the Island.

I see value in what Aimee is doing. We all need to build and fortify those bridges with our communities.

Can You help Vive Borikén send a Student to Puerto Rican Day Parade

Well, Aimee right now needs around $400 to get a student stateside and make sure he can cover his expenses.

To get the ball started, I am donating $20 (5% of the goal), so in essence, all she needs is for you and 37 more like you to give $10.

Other than the $20 I already gave up front to get everything going. I will be donating all my profits from the photography I sell here on this blog this week to get that student to the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

If you don't like any of the images on this page which have not been updated in a while. Take a look at my Instagram feed and let me know if you would like a digital copy or print of some of my recent images contact me. I am sure we can work something out.

So can I count on you on helping Vive Borikén in getting the student to the Puerto Rican Day Parade?

18880235_1333420913393579_1495770657337626311_o Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade

Donate Directly to Viva Borikén

Click below to support the efforts of Viva Borikén Boricua Unity Quest . You and I can send a UPR student to the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Join the Movement.

Donate Here!

Purchase any Photo

I will be donating any profits from my images to Viva Borikén until Friday June 9, 2017.

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Early Spring Morning in Isla Verde Beach

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El Convento de Santo Domingo de Porta Coeli – San German

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Cruise Ship Leaving San Juan Bay In Front of El Morro Fort

Linking the Island to the Puerto Rican Parade

Early Summer Morning in Isla Verde

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El Morro Fort’s North Side

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Summer in Isla Verde

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Faro de Cabo Rojo from La Playuela – Playa Sucia

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Early Summer Early Morning – Isla Verde #PuertoRico

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Iguana Relaxing at el Morro Fort Old San Juan

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Cuartel de Ballajá in Old San Juan

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Sunrise in Isla Verde

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Paddle Boarder on an Early Spring Morning in Isla Verde

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Isla Verde Sunrise on a Spring Morning

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Early Spring Sunday Morning

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Dusk on the First Day of “Semana Santa” Isla Verde

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To an Awesome Weekend

Isla Verde Beach Winter Landscape

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American Oyster Catcher and a Rainbow

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Wave Foam in Isla Verde

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Isla Verde Early Mornings

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Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla

March against Homophobia and Oscar Lopez Rivera Welcome

May 19, 2017 by Raul Colon

This past 17th of May I marched along the LGBT community and many other organizations on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The rally would end at the Oscar Lopez Rivera welcoming event. Oscar himself decided to wear black on the day of his release, and one of the reasons was to honor the LGBT community.

raul-colon-photography-5-of-26-1-1024x683 March against Homophobia and Oscar Lopez Rivera Welcome

CABE (Comité Amplio En Búsqueda de la Equidad) which in Spanish means, the open community seeking human equality and many other rights, organized the demonstration.

The march’s objective was to reclaim and put the spotlight on the following issues.

The Puerto Rico Department of Education’s efforts to stop educating their students on equity and human rights by eliminating the Circular Letter published on equity.
The Senate President prohibited the use of Transgender people using the restrooms he or she identifies with.
The continuous violations of not keeping a separation of church and state.
Changes in the law so same-gender couples can't adopt making it difficult or impossible for them to adopt.
Same-Sex marriage is still being treated differently when it comes to how it’s registered on public and government official records.
The many LGBT youths that are on the streets and being marginalized by the family by not accepting them as who they feel they are.
Violence as an excuse to hurt LGBT members.
The treatment of the LGBT community as second class citizens.

raul-colon-photography-13-of-26-1 March against Homophobia and Oscar Lopez Rivera Welcome

The march was well organized, tons of fun and a celebration of the community that form part of our society on the island. To individuals like me, you don’t have personally be affected by an issue to show support for our LGBT brothers and sisters.

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Marching towards Oscar Lopez Rivera's Welcome

The movement reached Rio Piedras Plaza de la Convalecencia to honor Ex-Political Prisoner and a hero to many of us, Oscar Lopez Rivera.

Having read about the great work and the values of Oscar Lopez Rivera It was a surreal moment to see him received by thousands of people.

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Many who wanted to shake his hand, get an autograph, take a selfie with him, hug him, and show many signs of gratitude to the sacrifices he made by being imprisoned for almost 36 years.
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